The Lincoln Saltdogs compete in their final week at home against the St. Paul Saints and Sioux Falls Canaries this week.
The Saltdogs returned to Haymarket Park Sunday, finishing with one loss in the first game against St. Paul while adding two wins Monday and Tuesday. Brian Campbell earned his eighth win of the season, defeating the Saints on Tuesday with a score of 8-5. Campbell pitched six innings, allowing four runs and eight hits. Two batters hit home runs, Curt Miaso in the bottom of the second inning and catcher Shawn McGill in the seventh.
Lincoln is in second place in the North Division of the American League with 21 wins and 16 losses.
Saltdogs Manager Tim Johnson returned to the team Monday after being absent on medical leave for just over a month. Johnson said his surgery went well so he can be with the team during the final games.
"It's good to be back," Johnson said. "It was tough to be away, of course, and it's always a little scary to deal with medical issue, but I feel about as good now as I've felt in a long time."
Lincoln's pitching coach Jim Haller took over as interim manager for Johnson in the last month. He said this could be the last year for a number of players and it puts extra stress on them.
"I am sure some of feeling a little pressure in that way," Haller said. "There are a lot of things on the line."
With all the recent trades for the team, Haller said it is tough for the team. The new additions may work for them or they may not.
"You really don't know until they're put out on the field," Haller said. "And even then, you catch a guy in a slump, it doesn't do you much good. Timing is everything."
Outfielder Matt Maloney resides in Auburndale, Fl. In 2006, Maloney moved to San Diego to play minor league baseball and then spent half of this season in Brockton, Mass., playing for the Can-Am League. Maloney said spending the season in two different places is why he enjoys the sport so much.
"That's one of the gifts of baseball," Maloney said. "You get to see a lot of different parts of the world."
The Saltdogs will end their season of regular-game competition at Wichita on Aug. 23 at 7:05 p.m. They are two wins behind Sioux City in the North League.
Maloney said the team needs to work together to win it all in the end of the season.
"We have got to keep our focus, it's a very long season," Maloney said. "If we keep grinding it out and winning some ball games, it will put us in a good spot."
As the season comes close to an end, Johnson said he is confident with the trades made to the team in the last month.
"We've got a lot of talent on the roster now," Johnson said, "And hopefully, we can finish strong and get back into the playoffs."
danaahrens@dailynebraskan.com
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